If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

The token troops with the Kurds at the Turkey border in Syria were the equivalent of hostages used by combatants everywhere to insure against an attack. Turkey knew that with those few there they were no threat, but if the Turks killed some then they risked war with the U.S. in retaliation. It kept the Turks at bay, but at our risk in a highly volatile area. The Kurds have been reliable allies in our fight, but it must be remembered that their fighters are all Muslims AND DEDICATED COMMUNISTS. Do we owe them never ending troop deployments in the internecine squabblings of the Muzzies? Not in my view. Our ONLY motivations in foreign relations should always be what is best for the United States, not what advantages our allies. It should remain a cold, hard calculation.

............... "Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority.... There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." ~~ Daniel Webster

I'm all in favor of leaving the region to those people and let them fight it out. A sucking money pit if you ask me.

The calculus was different before we were oil independent, and when the Muzzies had their foot on our economic throat. Now, we are in a better position to pick our fights while watching them kill each other, an outcome not altogether unpalatable.

Let me remind that this favorable position is wholly because Texas oilmen developed fracking techniques, which every top D’rat candidate swears they want to gut. Idiots. American fracking also allows us to blissfully step back and watch Venezuela rot in its Marxist hell.

............... "Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority.... There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." ~~ Daniel Webster

I wouldn't bet too heavily on Turkey in this squabble either...For all the high-dollar F-16's and F-35's they've bought in recent years, they may not have any one qualified to get them in the air who's not already in a Turkish jail......Ben

The future is forged on the anvil of history...The interpretation of history becomes the hammer... - Unknown author...

Turks have a fearsome reputation as fighters. So do the Kurds. Let them fight it out as they have done since the mind of man runeth not to the contrary. They apparently enjoy it.

............... "Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority.... There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters." ~~ Daniel Webster